Willy II Biplane

Hi Joe,

I am the owner and builder of a Willie II Biplane, I have seen the ad in barnstormers. I think that the Willie II and the Willy 2

are the same design.  The Willie II was a 1971 attempt to copy the Pitts S-2, the designer was William Shober who

previously built a Pitts S1C.

The Willie II is size and structure of a S1C enlarged about 25%, powered by 150 to 180 lycoming, M-6 airfoil and 2 ailerons.

The gross weight of the prototype N7919 was listed at  1450 lbs with a 180 hp. lycoming and fixed pitch prop. Empty weight

was advertised as 856 lbs. ( Probably calculated as a no elecric  accessories weight )

My airplane was completed in 1977 and now has 800 hours. it is powered by a lycoming 200 hp and empty weight is 1080 lbs

with an acro weight of 1450 lbs and normal gross weight of 1650 lbs, stall speed is 60 mph and cruise is 125 mph. Climb is

an honest 1000 feet per minute  (take-off at 400 foot elevation and climb to 10,00 feet is 9 minutes)

I doubt that a Willie II even with a smaller engine and light weight would meet the LSA stall speed.

I think any  2 seat biplane with a 20 foot wingspan with those weights and the M-6 airfoil would be stretching the truth

to claim LSA compliant.

If you have any questions or need more info, feel free to e-mail me.

Robert Bush   (Bob)

RandGBush@comcast.net

Thank You Bob!,

I figured someone out there would have some good information on the Willy II.  I am checking out the world of LSA while I continue to fly under all the Private regs.  I assumed that the ad was overly optimistic regarding LSA qualifications.   I didn't know the Willy was a Pitts  wanna be.  You are certainly correct about the climb rates on these short wing biplanes, I watched a Pitts take-off and climb above pattern altitude (1000ft MSL)  while approaching Crites Field (KUES) to join the pattern.  They can really scoot!  

Thanks Again for the spec's

Joe